Newbie help

[mcfish]

Been on the site 20 minutes and already I am hopelessly confused!

I just have a few questions if anyone could answer would be very helpful:

First and foremost if I plan to read this site often, is there a list or something to explain all of the abbreviations you guys use? I can pick up on most of the codes you are using for resorts, but many of them are really confusing.

Second, I am planning a trip for my girlfriend and I sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas when (hopefully) crowds and prices will be lowest. Since there has been a lack of discounts this year, I was considering joining AAA ($54) just for the Disney benefits on hotels and tickets (more than $54). Would this work? Is there some sort of membership time requirement or anything like that?

Third, since were going at a time that is supposed to be thin, do you think I should wait a little bit to book the trip and hope for some kind of discount to come out for that week even though there haven't been any codes to speak of so far this year?

Lastly, I'm considering 4 hotels - Coronado, Caribbean, Animal Kingdom, and Wilderness. Any advice would be helpful. AK is losing its charm to me because I would have to pay so much more to have a view of the animals, which would be the only reason we would choose that one in the first place.

Thanks to all in advance for your help! Sorry if I went on too long or asked this in an inapporpriate forum.

 

[Bugsmom73]

First of all Welcome to the DIS, there is a wealth of information here and everyone will be glad to assist you in what ever way possilbe.

Your first question, I am sure that there is a list somewhere with the abbreviations but I am not sure where but I would guess the community board. The easiest way I have found is to look at the initials of the resort many times it is the first few letters or the initials, ie., CBR Carribean Beach Resort, Polynesian- Poly, AKL-Animal Kingdom lodge.

As for AAA, there is some benefit since there appears to be a lack of codes it may be worth your while to get it. It is up to 20% in value, which is when you will be going for mods and values and up to 15% on deluxes. WIth AAA, you also can get discounts on airline and car rentals too.

Theh time of year you have chosen, is a great time of year. We were there last year at that time, and aside from the Monday after Thanksgiving, there was virtually no crowds. I would book as soon as you know where you want to stay. That way you guarantee yourself your dream hotel.

As for the hotels,
I have stayed at 2 of your 4 choices. I have stayed at CBR and I did enjoy it both times, it is big but I found the ground beautiful and serene. I was never that far from the food court and the bus system was great. We are considering returning again next January.

WL- it is my favorite resort and we enjoy trying new things so it may be a while before we are back. I would recommend upgrading to at least the woods view, it is pretty but even the parking lot view. standard is not bad. If you have a problem with noise, I would ask to be placed off the main lobby area as it can get noisy with the main desk and whispering canyon cafe. You can also take a boat to MK, but you do share the boat with Fort Wilderness at this time of year.

AKL- We are strongly considering this as a distinct possiblity for our next trip. We may splurge and do the savannah view. The biggest problem I have with this resort is the distance you must bus. We have young kids, so it is a primary concern.

Coronado springs- Never stayed there or even thought about it.

 

[denman007]

First and foremost if I plan to read this site often, is there a list or something to explain all of the abbreviations you guys use?

http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

 

[ccgegg]

My suggested plan of attack for you.....
I can't imagine any resort reaching full occupancy at this point for the time of year you want to go-- which I've also read is a great time to go, so we're doing it this year too. Therefore, I don't recommend booking a room now, unless you're just deadset on a single resort (doesn't sound like you are). I have the same philosophy as another poster on this forum in that if everyone books up rooms at rack rates, hoping that a code comes out at a later date, the odds of a code coming out decrease. Everyone takes the "it's only one reservation" attitude (aka CYA), but if we all thought that way, we'd probably never see a discount code period because I'm sure Disney would love for everyone to pay full rack rates. OK, end of soapbox.

AP codes for Dec typically come out at the end of Aug. If nothing comes out then for a resort you want, then join AAA and make your reservation. That being said, I'm not familiar with AAA discounts to know if they have a limited number of rooms available like the codes from Disney.